Understanding Consciousness
The Briefest of Introductions

Consciousness - Why Bother? What is so significant about the conscious state? Its importance lies in the fact that for sentient organisms (those endowed with nervous systems) that have evolved sufficiently, consciousness is the defining characteristic of the principal cognitive state--the waking state--where all the work of surviving gets done; the searching and fighting for food, the eating, the mating, the hiding from predators, the finding and building of shelter, not to mention the use of tools and (in the case of humans) the inventing of new technologies to improve our abilty to survive and thrive. How and why did evolution come up with this powerful tool? Indeed, what exactly is it?

Understanding Consciousness Means understanding the Mind in General . . . and Consciousness in Particular The beginning of wisdom in relation to consciousness is the understanding that . . . more

Research Resources

Online Papers Undoubtedly the most comprehensive reference to Philosophy of Mind papers as well as science-oriented stuff (Section 8) Etymology of the term "Consciousness" Various attempts to trace the origin of the word and the evolution of its meaning. Definitions of Consciousness There's more than one, and this poses a significant problem for conscousness studies. Metaphors of the Mind From animistic notions of humoural spirits to mechanical models of internal fluids History of Consciousness Studies From early "Philosophy of Mind" and Phenomenology to the more recent neuropsychology of consciousness. Weblogs Occasional ramblings, self promotion and periodic reference to current happenings.

Online Bibliographies Bibliographies on various aspects of the consciousness question. Online Books Google Books provides a window into many current books on consciousness Consciousness Journals Journals devoted wholly or significantly to research on the nature of consciousness. Book Series on Consciousness Several publishers maintain an active series on consciousness. Textbooks, Handbooks, Dictionaries, Glossaries Many scholastic publishers have now issued a textbook/handbook/companion on consciousness. Dedicated Study Centers University courses and research institutes focused on consciousness and the brain. Conferences on Consciousness There are now several periodic conferences related to consciousness. Discussion Forums Some good, some not so useful.

UNDERSTANDING CONSCIOUSNESS Related Issues

Animal Consciousness Hypnotism and Altered States Subjectivity Dreaming Consciousness Raising< Waking State

Mind/Brain Nature of Man Animistic Mind Phoney Mind Trash Machine Consciousness

Notes Regarding Current Theories of Consciousness

There are two ways of coming to an understanding of consciousness. Traditionally, mankind has assumed that the conscious state is the way it seems, and it seems that the mind, particularly the self, are immaterial, utterly distinct from the material world we perceive via our senses. This notion underlies the ancient equation of the mind with the soul, which in every culture has been considered distinct from the body. And religious traditions worldwide provide highly elaborate descriptions of where the soul goes after death. Science has difficulty with the idea that the conscious mind really is as it naturally seems to be because . . . more